Berea College Community Strengthening Initiative (BCCSI)
The Berea College Community Strengthening Initiative (BCCSI) is a program meant to encourage Berea College staff to attend at least one on-campus event per month, if possible. For more information, please visit this webpage.
FERPA Training PowerPoint
Want to learn more about FERPA here at Berea College? If so, please login to review a PowerPoint created by the Office of the Registrar for all Berea College employees. Also be sure to check-out the FERPA webpage on the Office of the Registrar’s website: https://www.berea.edu/registrar/ferpa/.
FERPA Quick Guide
Want a brief rundown of FERPA at Berea without looking through the entire PowerPoint, above? If so, click here and login to view the new FERPA Quick Guide document from the Office of the Registrar.
***NEW*** Berea College Calendar
Want information about lectures, events, Convocations, and activities across campus? If so, please visit the Berea College calendar, available here: https://calendar.berea.edu.
Professional Development Request Form
Do you want to request professional development funds from your Vice President for a conference, training, certification, etc.? If so, simply fill out the form at this link:
https://berea.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_byhY7UzY7DXsZ7L
The College’s Administrative Leadership Council (made up of the Administrative Committee, Associate Vice Presidents, and Directors) and Staff Forum leadership indicate that the top five requests for professional development from staff members are:
- Funds to attend or present at conferences and workshops;
- Increased frequency and levels of technology training;
- Certification training;
- Job-specific skills training; and
- Leadership skills development, including tools for running an effective meeting.
Priority allocation for staff development funds is given to 1) strategic professional development of staff to ensure that employees with promotional potential receive training to prepare them for the next step in their career progression at the College; 2) staff with credentials that require continuing education; and 3) staff presenting at a conference; and 4.) Technical skills training for new job related technology.
Instructions for Professional Development Proposals
Proposals should describe the activity, provide a budget, and indicate the amount of funding requested. Obtaining the support of your immediate supervisor is a required part of the application process. Awards are made on a first-come, first-served, basis and are subject to the availability of funds.
Travel Policy
Please note that all who receive funds involving travel must adhere to the Berea College Travel Policy. The updated travel policy can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/y5dsu5yj.
Report on Completion
Staff who receive Staff Development Funding are to submit a report via email within 30 days of the completion of the project via email to a designated staff member within the Division (Staff members in the academic division are not required to complete a report after their project has been completed). Those staff members are as follows:
- Alumni & College Relations: Kelly Linville
- Financial Affairs: Scotty Abney
- Information Systems & Services: Yvonne Williams
- Student Life: Carla Roberts
- Operations & Sustainability: Malissa Blair
- President’s Office: Sherry Thiele
- Strategic Initiatives: Andreea Teban
- Labor: Brittany Ash
Please note that your direct supervisor’s electronic signature is required on this form.
If you experience any technical difficulty with this form, please contact Sam Cole via email at colesa@berea.edu or via phone by calling ext. 3210.
If you are not sure about which Division you are in as a staff member, please consult this handy guide.
Professional Development Initiative Documentation
Vision Paper (PDF) (includes definition of professional development)
Staff Forum Presentation to A.C. in December 2015 (PDF)
Staff Professional Development and Climate Survey Instrument (PDF) (administered in 2015)
On and Off-Campus Professional Development Opportunities
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The EAP benefit provides up to 6 free counseling sessions for eligible employees and their dependents. These sessions are with certified counselors from The Lexington Group and are completely confidential (they do not inform Berea College of who is using this benefit). Traditionally, employees could get counseling face-to-face or by phone. However, the Lexington Group now offers the option for online counseling (video and messaging). For more information about video counseling and the EAP benefit, please see the documents linked below (you will be asked to provide your Berea College credentials to access them).
Monthly Student Life Social Hours
For our new students, faculty, or staff, we host monthly social hours for our campus where students, faculty, and staff can come together, enjoy a meal, and connect in a more informal manner. Some social hours will be themed and will have short presentations about campus resources while others will be more open and meant to create an environment where we can all connect with one another. Regardless of the structure, there is always time provided to simply chat, check in with one another, and make new friends!
Grab your lunch and join us for a virtual conversation and connection with new people on campus! You might make a connection that opens a new door for you so join us and build your Berea connections!
For more information, please contact Stephen H. Howard (stephen_howard@berea.edu), Assistant Director of Student Involvement & Engagement, Department of Student Life.
TIAA Monthly Webinars
TIAA has monthly webinars covering a variety of topics related to preparing for retirement and they are completely free to Berea College employees. If interested, please sign up by going to TIAA.org/webinars.
Smoking Cessation
Sometimes you start to believe you just might be better off as a non-smoker. If you fit into that category, send Jill Gurtatowski an email (gurtatowskij@berea.edu) to discuss if this is the right program for you.
Weight Watchers
WW is back! Berea College has partnered with WW (Weight Watchers Reimagined) to help employees meet their health and wellness goals. This new offering involves a monthly digital membership (formerly called eTools) for only $9.00/month. This Program is open to all employees. Spouses/partners on a College medical plan are also eligible.
Here is how myWW+ works:
- Take the new personal assessment for a holistic view of what impacts weight loss for you—from food to sleep to how you think.
- You will be scientifically matched with a food plan (Green, Blue, or Purple) that guides you toward food choices geared to your preferences.
- Your WW app will be personalized with trackers, FitPoints®, tips & tricks, recipes, and tools designed to help make losing weight easier.
Take a look at the new program here: https://www.weightwatchers.com/us/blog/weight-loss/myww
To sign up for WW for $9.00/month, visit: https://www.weightwatchers.com/us/wwhs click on see discounted rates, enter Access ID: 15891332
Employees enter your BNumber – please include “B” and leading zeros. Spouses will enter employees’ BNumber with an “S” in front. Ex. SB000111. If you have an active eTools account, cancel your existing account by calling WW Customer Service at 1-866-204-2885. If you join now through December 12 you are eligible for a New Member kit. For more information, please email Jill Gurtatowski (gurtatowskij@berea.edu).
Coffee and Cream Chats
The Workforce Development Training Team at the Labor Program will once again be hosting informal meetings (with light refreshments!) for labor supervisors to meet and share ideas. Spring 2021 term coffee and cream chats are TBD.
For more information, please email Brittany Ash (brittany_ash@berea.edu).
Something to Chew On
Something to Chew On is a monthly event hosted by the Labor Office where a different department from campus has the opportunity to promote their program and give information to the staff and faculty about how their work affects the campus community.
For more information, please email Brittany Ash (brittany_ash@berea.edu).
Green Dot Training
Green Dot is a Bystander Intervention Program designed to help reduce power-based violence, including: sexual violence, domestic abuse, child abuse, stalking, and bullying in our community. Find out more about Green Dot.
For questions or concerns, visit the Title IX webpage, email Joslyn Glover, or call 859-985-3606.
Safe Zone Training
Berea College is one of hundreds of colleges and universities that provide training to promote inclusive spaces for LGBTQ students. More specifically, this Safe Zone Training Program provides participants with an opportunity to gain knowledge and awareness about gender and sexual identity development. Participants will be engaged in experiential activities that promote a space for dialogue and questions related to gender and sexual identity. Upon completion of the training, participants will leave with educational materials and an optional window cling or sticker to place in your office/workspace. Should you choose to take the Safe Zone sticker you will be communicating that your office is a safe, friendly, respectful, and non-judgmental space for our LGBTQ students. Each training is limited to 25 people per session.
For more information about this training opportunity, please contact Dr. Amanda Wyrick, Berea’s Safe Zone trainer at Amanda_wyrick@berea.edu.
Title IX Training
Covers Berea College’s policies and procedures on Sexual Misconduct, how to identify and prevent sexual violence, How to report and incident, and the impact of trauma on victims. All new employees are required to attend one of these sessions. For more information about upcoming sessions, please contact Joslyn Glover via email or phone. These trainings typically cover important information about Berea College’s Sexual Misconduct Policy and Procedures and Nondiscrimination Policy, how to prevent and identify sexual violence, appropriate methods for responding to reports of sexual misconduct, and how and to whom such misconduct must be reported. Employee trainings for the Spring 2021 term are TBA.
The Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI)
Participation in the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI). To take the IDI as an individual, area, or office, please contact Dr. Dwayne Mack (mackd@berea.edu), or Dr. Scott Steele (scott_steele@berea.edu).
LinkedIn Learning
Labor Program How-To Training Videos
Information about the Staff Development Fund
Information about Tuition Reimbursement
Berea College Staff Development Workshops
BC Staff Development (BCSD) Schedule
— Berea College Staff Development with Mark Nigro, Learning & Training Coordinator —
For more information and to REGISTER, please use the following registration link: http://bcstaffdevelopment.eventbrite.com/
- Click a specific workshop title to learn more details about the workshop. (Be sure to look at the ‘Live Events’ tab for the current workshops)
- To register: after opening a specific workshop, click “Register” and follow the prompts to reserve your seat.
Please make sure your schedule is open before you commit to registering. If you supervise staff employees, please discuss these professional development opportunities with your staff. Participants will explore topics through a combination of reflection, discussion, and group activities.
- Note for NEW staff members — the required Being and Becoming program provides essential exploration about our unique College workplace, and is offered on a periodic basis.
For a listing of Spring 2021 Zoom workshops, please click here.
If you have any questions, please contact Mark Nigro at extension 3436.
The Gender Talk Luncheon Series
Gender Talks for the Spring 2021 Term (via Zoom)
- February 10 (12:00-1:00 pm) – Jasmine Syedullah, “The Hearts We Beat: Black Feminism Freedom in the Hold of Slavery.” Co-sponsored by African and African American Studies. Respondent: Jessica Klanderud
- March 17 (12:00 -1:00 pm) – Amy Brandzel, “White Citizenship as Terrorism: Make America Great Again, Again.” Co-sponsored by Law, Ethics, and Society. Respondent: Mireille Pardon
- April 14 (12:00-1:00 pm) – Glen Coulthard, “Holding Up Half the Sky: Maoist Influences on Red Power Feminism in Vancouver, 1967-75.” Respondent: Tyler M. Tully
Please contact M. Shadee Malaklou (malakloum@berea.edu) with questions.
The Civil Rights Seminar & Tour
Loyal Jones Appalachian Center Events
The Appalachian Seminar & Tour
Participation in Dean’s Reading Groups
With support from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Office of Academic Affairs is pleased to announce the continuation of Dean’s Reading Groups for the Spring 2021 academic term. Both staff and faculty are invited to participate.
| Book Title & Author | Discussion Day/Time | Discussion Leaders |
|---|---|---|
| The Inner Work of Racial Justice: Healing Ourselves and Transforming Our Communities Through Mindfulness by Rhonda V. Magee | ZOOM: Wed. January 27 & Wed. February 3, 5:30-6:30 pm | Penelope Wong, Kennaria Brown |
| Automating Inequality: How High-Tech Tools Profile, Police, and Punish the Poor by Virginia Eubanks | ZOOM: Wed, February 10 & 24, 12:00-1:00 pm | Matt Saderholm, Jill Bouma |
| How to be an Anti-racist by Ibram X. Kendi | ZOOM: Thurs. March 11 & 18 12:00-1:00 2nd March Date TBA | Jess Klanderud, Dwayne Mack |
For more information or to join one of these groups, please email Sarah Broomfield at broomfields@berea.edu or call her at 859-985-3487. If you have suggestions for future groups, please contact Dean Matthew Saderholm at saderholmm@berea.edu.
Participation in Community Reading Groups
For more information on Community Reads, please contact Sarah Broomfield via email or by calling 859-985-3487.
Lunch & Learn Workshops (Contact Jill Gurtatowski for more information).
Other On-Campus Events/Groups:
Run/Walk with the Presidential Trio
Graduation & Commencement (tickets required)
General Faculty Assembly Meetings
The Gender Talk Luncheon Series
Center for International Education Events
The Celebration of Traditional Music
Carter G. Woodson Center for Interracial Education Programs and Events
Programming at the Willis D. Weatherford Campus Christian Center
Events at the bell hooks Institute
Loyal Jones Appalachian Center Events
NEW: Berea College Calendar
Want information about lectures, events, Convocations, and activities across campus? If so, please visit the Berea College calendar, available here: https://calendar.berea.edu.
Let Sam Cole know about any events that should be added to this list!